In Issue 4, 2020, John Downes asked: "What industries do you suggest for a student considering a career in mechanical engineering?"
"Certainly not automotive. That is set to shrink drastically with self-driving cars. Just imagine to yourself what if you didn’t need a car – just call one when you want to travel and it will arrive at your door. Also not aerospace. The current crisis is making it very plain how much of what we habitually go into the office or factory for that can be done equally as well from home. Also how much we travel overseas, for that can be done remotely too. Look strongly at the additive manufacturing sector, the food-processing sector, renewable energy and electrical power generation. Those are set to remain stable and grow."
Ivor Mansell
"Any industry that utilises multiple materials, processes and technologies is best. For example, automotive uses metals, plastics, composites, fabrics, paints, lubricants, etc – one can always find a niche technology later using that as a springboard."
Mark
"First, go for something that excites you (that’s why we’re engineers; we obviously don’t do it for the money!). Second, find an industry that’s growing and has a sustainable future. Third, select a sector that’s present (and hopefully thriving) in the area of the world you want to live. Personally, I’d also recommend something that’s morally compatible – where you can be proud to tell a stranger at a dinner party what it is you do!"
Mehdi Raza
"Attend careers and recruitment fairs and get an understanding of what’s on offer and what would be of interest to you personally – passion for a job always appeals to recruiting engineers."
Ian Hughes
"I think any industry that you feel you can contribute to. The beauty of mechanical engineering is that it is a broad-based discipline. It depends on your individual passions. For example, a colleague I knew at university had a goal of being a race engineer in Formula One. He achieved his goal because he knew what he had to do to get there."
Brian Burgess
"Secure (career-wise) such as rail, defence, utilities. Moderately safe, such as consultancies, aviation, automotive. Challenging, such as F1, Dyson. Humanitarian, such as biomedical, low-tech charity projects at home and abroad."
Carol Goodall
"Mechanical engineering is a huge subject area, with skills that can be equally applied in so many different areas. OK so repairing fighter jets might be obvious, but the mechanics of life in so many areas can be engineered for the better. Pick an industry that is interesting and motivates you and be a mechanical engineer in it."
Ben Zabell
"I would say that there will always be a need for people to travel and a need for energy. If you are seeking a lifelong career in one sector, one of the industries related to either of those would probably serve you well. Emerging technologies like fuel cells and next-generation batteries, micro grids etc look like challenging and exciting areas at the moment."
J Neff
"I would suggest a company in the battery-powered vehicle industries, wind, wave and solar energy production etc. Also the recycling industry and waste reclaiming (such as removal of contaminants from oceans)."
Craig R
"As population expands, the one industry that will always grow with it is infrastructure. Any branch of engineering with links to construction such as civil engineering or machinery is probably a safe bet. Most importantly, though, do something that interests you. There will be times you have to do some boring bits but as long as there is something to look forward to once the boring bit is done you’ll get through it. Take as many opportunities as you can while you can. There are many engineering companies that offer graduate schemes that let you try out different areas of the business (design, development, even marketing) so these can be a great way to find out if you really enjoy something as much as you think you will."
Rhys Owen
"For me, aerospace. Whether it be satellites, rockets or aircraft. There is an immense amount of technology and processes involved. There’s the chance to travel (usually) and you can go into either the manufacturing of aircraft, operation and maintenance, or what will become increasingly important in future years, disposal and recycling of aircraft (or any other aerial system)."
David
Attend EngRec Live 2020 - the FIRST virtual careers fair for young engineers. Click here to register today.
Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.